No journalist was attacked at Kosofe secretariat — Ogunlewe

The Chairman of Kosofe Local Government Area, Moyo Ogunlewe, has denied allegations that a journalist was assaulted at the council secretariat in Lagos on Wednesday, describing the claim as false and politically motivated.

Ogunlewe was reacting to online reports that a journalist identified as Habeeb Adejobi, said to be affiliated with MITV, was attacked while attempting to cover the screening and swearing-in of supervisory councillors at the council secretariat.

The council chairman said he personally noticed the cameraman when he entered the premises and began setting up his camera but could not provide proper identification to confirm he was a journalist.

According to Ogunlewe, the individual initially claimed to be from Arise Television but failed to present a valid identity card or documentation to support the claim.

“I just saw a man setting up a camera in the premises and asked where he was from. He said he came from a TV station but had no identification card to show he was a genuine journalist,” Ogunlewe said.

He added that he was surprised to later read reports claiming the man was from MITV and alleging that he had been assaulted by council officials.

The chairman described the allegations as embarrassing and insisted that no journalist was attacked within the council premises.

He also rejected suggestions that he would supervise such an act, noting that he is the son of former senator and minister, Adeseye Ogunlewe.

Ogunlewe said the individual was taken to the Ogudu Police Station for questioning after he failed to provide proper identification.

According to him, authorities at the police station asked the man to provide a statement about the alleged assault but he could not substantiate the claim.

The council chairman further alleged that political opponents were behind the incident in an attempt to discredit his administration.

“What happened was linked to an earlier incident at ACME many months ago and he was sent by our opponents to embarrass us. Nobody was attacked in our local government. My political opponents are at work,” he said.

A senior staff member at the council also supported the chairman’s account, stating that the Divisional Police Officer and the Area Commander requested a written statement from the individual but none was provided.

The staff member said the council would not be distracted by what he described as attempts at blackmail, adding that the administration remains focused on its development agenda.